Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams says the Powys bid for UK City of Culture status could bring "massive benefits" for the area.

The competition, organised by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in collaboration with the devolved administrations, uses culture to highlight new parts of the UK on the cultural map.

While not a city, Powys is one of 20 places which has bid for the title for 2025.

The winners of the contest generally see a huge upswing in tourism and investment, with 2021 City of Culture Coventry having already attracted "over £100 million" to support cultural projects.

"It is fantastic news that Powys has entered the process for becoming UK City of Culture in 2025.," said Mr Williams.

"We have seen the huge positive impacts for not just the winning city, but for the longlisted locations as well. The previous winners have seen massive benefits, with huge numbers of events and visitors highlighting the area and showcasing what Powys has to offer to the rest of the UK is a great proposal."

The twenty bidders will be reduced to an initial long list of bidders in the coming weeks and then cut down further to a final shortlist in early 2022. The winner will be announced in May 2022.

"I also welcome news that UK Government are awarding grants of £40,000 to successful longlisted places, I look forward to supporting Powys’ bid and look forward to using this opportunity to put our area on the map and highlight what we all know, our area is already worthy of the title, capital of culture within the UK."

 

Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Leader of Powys County Council, said the area already had a strong case for the title due to the large  number of international events held in the county. 

"Powys has such a lot of history and wonderful aspects and the City of Culture title, if we are successful, would provide a great opportunity to showcase our wonderful county to people across the UK and beyond," she said.

"Powys has a lot to offer. We already have a lot of major and international events including the Royal Welsh Show, the Green Man Festival, the Hay Festival and the Machynlleth Comedy Festival, which are hugely popular.

"There is some strong competition but we believe we have come up with a very good application."

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the contest was a "wonderful opportunity" for the winning area.

"It's testament to the huge success of UK City of Culture that a record twenty bids have now been put in for 2025," he said.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to generate investment, create jobs and boost local pride. Wishing all bidders the very best of luck!"